Piper Archer preflight and walk around inspection. This is the typical preflight inspection I perform before each flight in N3001W, The Lexington Flying Clubs' 1979 Cherokee Archer.
Hi John, just some remarks. I suggest opening up the engine hatches and be sure nothing unusual is hiding in there. Check cables, leakage, etc.... In addition, check the breaking fluid. For your viewers, I also suggest to be sure the hatch locks are secured. Check the breaks. on the landing gear. If possible jiggle the actual break assembly to be sure it's secured.
Very useful, thanks for making this video. I'm transitioning from a C172 to an Archer II, and I have been studying the POH, but your video and your explanation are a lot easier to follow. Thanks!
Welcome aboard Mike! Thanks for subscribing. The Archer has 50gal. total fuel, 48gal useable, and 17gal. to the Tabs. For those who have never looked into an archer’s fuel tanks, Mike is referring to sheet metal “tabs” that protrudes into the tanks to show a reference level when the tank is not full.
Great preflight. Be nice if you could do a video panel tour, so people new to the a/c can get a good idea of the panel , instruments and where everything is in the cockpit. Thanks
Leave the Master on and the lights, (especially the rotating beacon = safety) also open the pilot side window then go to the walk around... then check the stall warning tab and you'll be able to hear the tone....
Excellent! Anyone would benefit from viewing, particularly if they are new to the Archer. One question for you... when the fuel is full to the tabs how much fuel is in the tank? I think it's 17 gallons usable but not sure. Thanks!
Why did you not open up the engine covers and check inside for oil leeks and anything which might be loose or not right? Why did you not check the tyres for slippage or damage? Why did you not check the brake hydraulics for leaks or damage?
With the Archer, unlike the Warrior, you have to remove the ENTIRE cowl to get to the engine and to be totally honest its a bitch and not necessary. Any leaks will be coming out the bottom onto the ground so there really isnt a need.
This is a very interesting pre-flight inspection video, good shots and audio. I'm glad "bird nests" were mentioned, have noticed wasp nest too in the past. Got a question about "safety-wiring".... In the video around 12:18, the view is of one of the cylinders/jugs and it appears that there is no safety-wire on two of the nuts holding the jug to the crankcase. Is this normal?
It tells you to turn on exterior lights, but shortly after it tells you to turn off all switches. Are you supposed to get out and check the lights before you turn off all your switches, or do you leave the exterior lights on while you do your exterior preflight?
normally you should turn the external lights on then go out to check them , then back again to the cockpit to turn them off and to turn the master switch off ( you can't just leave them on until you complete the exterior preflight because you're consuming the battery and might need and external power source to start the engine later on so watch out )
At the flight school I attend, we turn battery master, and all exterior lights on (Pitot heat also if you believe you may encounter icing), walk around the plane briefly making sure all the lights work, as well as testing the stall horn tab. Then battery master off, and continue preflighting. Hope that helps!
How much would you recommend to know an aircrafts technical side when u plan to become a private pilot? I ask because this was ofc a quite basic inspection but it is still more than I would ever do with my car. So is this sufficient, or do you occasionally have to check more yourself, or do you bring it to a mechanic for closer inspection?
I use the David Clark H10-13.4 headset. I would recommend them. I have not used any of the lesser expensive headsets, but for the money, (about $300) I wouldn't bother looking for anything cheaper. When I went looking to buy a second headset for passengers, I looked at cheap headsets, & ebay, etc, and decided to buy another pair of H10-13.4 instead.
Not to throw rocks at you but wondering why you didn’t follow POH recommended starting point. Plus you didn’t verify lights and pitot heat were actually working nor did you check tire pressures and brake lines. Not quite a thorough enough pre flight in my opinion.
Why didn't you start your walk-around from the Starboard wing (so you wouldn't have to walk-back after completing the walk-around)? Also, starting at the cowl, you forgot to check the gascolator (ok, did as last item -- passing beyond the starting point -- should have done it as one of the 1st items [this is where the GATS jars come in handy]) Also, you never checked the external lights. You checked the switches, but never got out and physically checked whether the bulbs were lit. Also, you missed checking the pitot for being warm/hot.
Getting ready to fly an archer soon, so I appreciate some advance familiarization. Thanks!
I'm a 25 hour student, It's always nice to see it by someone else! Thank you for sharing.
Hi John, just some remarks. I suggest opening up the engine hatches and be sure nothing unusual is hiding in there. Check cables, leakage, etc.... In addition, check the breaking fluid. For your viewers, I also suggest to be sure the hatch locks are secured. Check the breaks. on the landing gear. If possible jiggle the actual break assembly to be sure it's secured.
I'd also pull on the prop to ensure it's securely on the crankshaft.
Very useful, thanks for making this video. I'm transitioning from a C172 to an Archer II, and I have been studying the POH, but your video and your explanation are a lot easier to follow. Thanks!
What an awesome walk around. You are very knowledgeable. I’m just starting out. I go up tomorrow for hour number 2, but what a great video.
Very nice production. Thanks for putting it up.
Thanksa lot. Very useful information.
Got a lot of great information from this preflight segment.
Nicely done. Thank you for making and posting. I hope to own an Archer II one day so I really enjoyed this.
Peace.
very good preflight and, thanks 4 posting !
Great video sir!
Welcome aboard Mike! Thanks for subscribing. The Archer has 50gal. total fuel, 48gal useable, and 17gal. to the Tabs. For those who have never looked into an archer’s fuel tanks, Mike is referring to sheet metal “tabs” that protrudes into the tanks to show a reference level when the tank is not full.
@Axl Erick yea, I've been watching on instaflixxer for months myself :)
Great preflight. Be nice if you could do a video panel tour, so people new to the a/c can get a good idea of the panel , instruments and where everything is in the cockpit.
Thanks
Nice video, thank you.
Well filmed video, nice one.
Thanks, your 152 video looks good as well.
JJBellBlog
Cheers thank you.
Dam prop looks like some outboard prop running on tha sand bank.
kermit the frog shredding!!!! nice shirt hombre!
Leave the Master on and the lights, (especially the rotating beacon = safety) also open the pilot side window then go to the walk around... then check the stall warning tab and you'll be able to hear the tone....
Excellent! Anyone would benefit from viewing, particularly if they are new to the Archer. One question for you... when the fuel is full to the tabs how much fuel is in the tank? I think it's 17 gallons usable but not sure. Thanks!
Why did you not open up the engine covers and check inside for oil leeks and anything which might be loose or not right?
Why did you not check the tyres for slippage or damage?
Why did you not check the brake hydraulics for leaks or damage?
With the Archer, unlike the Warrior, you have to remove the ENTIRE cowl to get to the engine and to be totally honest its a bitch and not necessary. Any leaks will be coming out the bottom onto the ground so there really isnt a need.
This is a very interesting pre-flight inspection video, good shots and audio. I'm glad "bird nests" were mentioned, have noticed wasp nest too in the past. Got a question about "safety-wiring".... In the video around 12:18, the view is of one of the cylinders/jugs and it appears that there is no safety-wire on two of the nuts holding the jug to the crankcase. Is this normal?
Why didnt you unlatch the cowl to check engine area?
It tells you to turn on exterior lights, but shortly after it tells you to turn off all switches. Are you supposed to get out and check the lights before you turn off all your switches, or do you leave the exterior lights on while you do your exterior preflight?
I'm wondering the very same thing.
normally you should turn the external lights on then go out to check them , then back again to the cockpit to turn them off and to turn the master switch off ( you can't just leave them on until you complete the exterior preflight because you're consuming the battery and might need and external power source to start the engine later on so watch out )
At the flight school I attend, we turn battery master, and all exterior lights on (Pitot heat also if you believe you may encounter icing), walk around the plane briefly making sure all the lights work, as well as testing the stall horn tab. Then battery master off, and continue preflighting. Hope that helps!
How much would you recommend to know an aircrafts technical side when u plan to become a private pilot? I ask because this was ofc a quite basic inspection but it is still more than I would ever do with my car. So is this sufficient, or do you occasionally have to check more yourself, or do you bring it to a mechanic for closer inspection?
id like to see some ground instruction videos. that will help new pilots like me pass the written exam..
What kind of headset do you use and what do you recommend for someone to get when first starting their aviation school?
I use the David Clark H10-13.4 headset. I would recommend them. I have not used any of the lesser expensive headsets, but for the money, (about $300) I wouldn't bother looking for anything cheaper. When I went looking to buy a second headset for passengers, I looked at cheap headsets, & ebay, etc, and decided to buy another pair of H10-13.4 instead.
what about the front wheel and air pressure
Not to throw rocks at you but wondering why you didn’t follow POH recommended starting point. Plus you didn’t verify lights and pitot heat were actually working nor did you check tire pressures and brake lines. Not quite a thorough enough pre flight in my opinion.
Why didn't you start your walk-around from the Starboard wing (so you wouldn't have to walk-back after completing the walk-around)?
Also, starting at the cowl, you forgot to check the gascolator (ok, did as last item -- passing beyond the starting point -- should have done it as one of the 1st items [this is where the GATS jars come in handy])
Also, you never checked the external lights. You checked the switches, but never got out and physically checked whether the bulbs were lit.
Also, you missed checking the pitot for being warm/hot.
Shouldn't keep your Airworthiness Cert in a pocket. It's supposed to be in view for all passangers.
Complete walk around, but never checked the main gear tires, or brakes.
For me the pre flight check took like 3 seconds...saw this old plane i would never sit inside